Blog: Nightwatcher's House Of Rock

Classic Rock magazine is reporting that although the late guitar wizard Tommy Bolin passed away at the age of 25 in 1976, a new album is set for release out March 26. 'Great Gypsy Soul' features features outtakes and alternate versions of his solo material, with current musicians playing and singing along to Bolin's own guitar and vocal recordings. The high profile list includes contributions from Peter Frampton, Joe Bonamassa, Warren Haynes, Steve Lukather, Glenn Hughes, Brad Whitford, Derek Trucks and many others, Here's the track listing for the CD: [...]

Rumors were swirling around the Internet today suggesting that Black Sabbath have replaced original drummer Bill Ward with Tommy Clufetos from the Ozzy Osbourne band. These rumors have not been confirmed by the band or management. However fans are rallying around Ward and have launched a new Facebook page dubbed 1,000,000 Black Sabbath Fans Say Yes To Bill Ward. https://www.facebook.com/pages /1000000-Black-Sabbath-fans-sa y-yes-to-Bill-Ward/38722952462 5706 Black Sabbath recently moved writing sessions for their long-awaited reunion album from Los Angeles to Birmingham, England due to guitarist Tony Iommi's treatment for lymphoma. Drummer Bill Ward is currently in [...]

Sony Music in association with Capo Records and Legacy are proud to re-issue the first six original Rory Gallagher albums in chronological release date order – "Rory Gallagher" (1971), "Deuce" (1971), "Live In Europe!" (1972), "Blueprint" (1973), "Tattoo" (1973) and "Irish Tour '74" (1974). These seminal re-issued albums celebrate 40 years since the start of Rory's solo career. Rory Gallagher was a musician like no other. He was, and still is, one of the world's greatest guitarists, singers, song writers and live showmen. His music lives on through generations of today's hottest guitarists including Slash, Joe Bonamassa, Brian [...]

Former RIOT vocalist Mike DiMeo, who recorded six studio albums and one live album with the band between 1994 and 2006 has issued the following statement regarding the passing of the band's founding guitarist Mark Reale, who passed away January 25th in a San Antonio hospital due to complications of Crohn's disease — an ailment he has battled for most of his life. He was 56 years old. "I'm deeply saddened by the death of Mark Reale. He was a gifted songwriter, great musician and a true friend. I am honored and thankful that I shared many years [...]

Born in Los Angeles, California in 1972, it's quite clear that Beth Hart was born to be a musician. Beginning to play piano at age four, she later attended L.A.'s High School for the Performing Arts as a vocal and cello major. From classic female vocalists such as Dinah Washington, Billie Holiday and Ella Fitzgerald, singer songwriters as Carole King to the heavy metal rumblings of Black Sabbath and Rush, Hart naturally soaked up all the musical influences around her. Often compared to the late rock legend Janis Joplin, whom she portrayed in the [...]

Ever since joining heavy metal legends Riot back in 1993, vocalist Mike DiMeo has been responsible for some of the most soulful vocals laid down in the modern metal scene. Beginning with 1994's 'Nightbreaker', DiMeo soon found his footing, contributing not only fantastic vocals, but also well thought out lyrics which are some of the most articulate in the melodic power metal genre. Before leaving in 2006, he ended up recording six studio albums and one live album with the group, consolidating his stature as one of the finest vocalists around. [...]

Music legends and former YES members Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman will be playing a select number of engagements this coming Fall 2011. The legendary duo performed a series of successful concerts in the UK in 2010 in support of their critically acclaimed CD release 'The Living Tree', and are now bringing their highly anticipated show to America. Having worked together on and off since 1971's groundbreaking YES masterwork 'Fragile', Jon Anderson and Rick Wakeman have traveled similar musical paths that have eventually and happily led their careers back together again! Now once again, the duo promise a [...]

Black Country Communion, the Anglo - American hard rock supergroup consisting of vocalist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Trapeze), blues rock guitar titan Joe Bonamassa, drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, UFO, Foreigner) and keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Alice Cooper, Billy Idol) have released the trailer for the upcoming DVD release 'Live Over Europe'. The DVD is set for a release date worldwide October 24, 2011. More information will be available at http://www.bccommunion.com/ The band's latest Kevin [...]

Born in Manchester, England in 1977, raised on a steady diet of his father's Muddy Waters and B.B. King records, it perhaps should not come as no surprise that Matt Schofield would grow up to become a world class blues guitarist. It was after seeing a video at the age of 16 of blues legends Albert King, Albert Collins and Stevie Ray Vaughan that the fledgling musician chose a path which during the course of four studio and two live albums has seen him garner many prestigious awards. Not [...]

Legendary guitarist Leslie West has undergone surgery in Biloxi, MS. West had flown in to Mississippi to perform at the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino with his band Mountain. On Saturday, his leg began to swell, and as a diabetic he was rushed to the emergency room. He was diagnosed with the decision to go through an amputation in order to save his life. Surgery was a success, and the procedure removed his limb up to the knee. West is expected to fully recover, and faces extensive rehabilitation. The family has requested that the [...]

Anglo -American Hard Rock Supergroup Black Country Communion, featuring vocalist/bassist Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Trapeze), drummer Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin), keyboardist Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater) and blues rock guitar titan Joe Bonamassa have just released the first video 'Man In The Middle' from the soon to be released 'Black Country Communion 2'. The album will will be officially released in the U.K. and Europe on June 13 and in North America on June 14 via J&R Adventures.

According to HMV Japan and Amazon Japan, legendary guitarist Michael Schenker will release a new album titled "Temple Of Rock" on July 27 in Japan. The CD will reportedly feature guest appearances by the following musicians: * Slash (GUNS N' ROSES, VELVET REVOLVER) - Guitar * Rudolf Schenker (SCORPIONS) - Guitar * Pete Way (UFO) - Bass * Neil Murray (BLACK SABBATH, WHITESNAKE) - Bass * Chris Glen (MSG) - Bass * Simon Phillips (TOTO, THE WHO, JUDAS PRIEST) - Drums * Carmine Appice (KING KOBRA, VANILLA FUDGE, [...]

The story goes that Jimi Hendrix was once asked what it was like to be the greatest guitarist in the world, to which he replied, "I don't know, go ask Rory Gallagher!" Rory Gallagher (1948-1995) is simply one of the all-time guitar greats. Slash, The Edge, Brian May, Johnny Marr, Janick Gers, Ritchie Blackmore, Glenn Tipton and Vivian Campbell have all said it. Since practically inventing the Power Trio format in Taste (both Cream and Taste debuted in 1966), Gallagher's music has stood the test of time and he's as popular now as he ever was, his [...]

• Rory Gallagher - Follow Me (Live)

Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath, Black Country Communion) will release his long-awaited autobiography, "Deep Purple And Beyond: Scenes From The Life Of A Rock Star", on May 12 via Foruli Publications. The book, co-written with Joel McIver and featuring an introduction by Metallica's Lars Ulrich, will appear in a luxury first edition complete with rare photos and an exclusive 10-inch vinyl EP featuring the following all-new recordings: * "What Is A Woman's Role?" (Trapeze, written by Hughes) * "Holy Man" (Deep Purple, written by Hughes, David Coverdale, Jon Lord) * "Dying To Live" (brand [...]

Guitarist Angus Young of Australian hard rockers AC /DC has told U.K.'s The Sun that the band is already planning its next tour and is hoping to top its last world trek. "Now we're thinking, 'How can we ever better the 'Black Ice' world tour?' But we will," he claimed. On the topic of the success of AC/DC's 2008 album "Black Ice", Young said, "We have such diehard fans, old and new. We've survived many changing fashions of music - we've outlived the lot of them."

Black Sabbath guitar legend Tony Iommi, regarded as one of the founders of heavy metal, is set to release his autobiography. Entitled 'Black Sabbath And Beyond', the book will be released on October 13th in the UK (via Simon & Schuster) and November 1st in the US (by Da Capo Press). An Amazon pre-order is available below. According to a book description: "Iron Man chronicles the story of both pioneering guitarist Tony Iommi and legendary band Black Sabbath. Iron Man reveals the man behind the icon yet still captures Iommi's humor, intelligence, and warmth. [...]

Rock News Desk is reporting that Aerosmith singer Steven Tyler says the band's shambolic attempt to make an album in 2008 collapsed because he and guitarist Joe Perry started using drugs again. But the frontman says the situation threw up a terrible contrast: the once-celebrated Toxic Twins rekindled their friendship while they were high – but they couldn't work as a band while they partied. The Boston giants' recent history is littered with near disaster. In 2009 Tyler fell off stage while under the influence of drugs, breaking his shoulder and forcing the band to [...]

On May 17th, via MVD Entertainment, British guitar legend Jeff Beck will release 'Jeff Beck/Jennifer Batten/Randy Hope -Taylor/Steve Alexander Japan 1999', a DVD of a 1999 performance recorded at the Tokyo International Forum in Tokyo, Japan for Japanese television. Running a total of 69 minutes, and featuring 18 tracks, the lineup for the concert consists of Jeff Beck, guitar, Jennifer Batten, guitar, Randy Hope, bass and Steve Alexander, drums. The full tracklisting is as follows : * What [...]

Rock News Desk is reporting that guitarist KK Downing has quit Judas Priest, and won't join the band on their upcoming final world tour. The 59-year-old axeman recently told his bandmates that he'd decided to retire with immediate effect. After considering the situation they've decided to complete the Epitaph tour as planned. Downing will be replaced by 31-year-old Richie Faulkner, who was most recently a member of Lauren Harris' band. In a statement Judas Priest say: "KK Downing has formally retired and will therefore not be joining us on [...]

Classic Rock magazine is reporting that Alice Cooper is to make history by appearing in 4D. This happens on Wednesday May 11 at Battersea Power Station. Dubbed The Jagermeister Ice Cold Event, it will be the first ever holographic rock gig, and is being done to celebrate the release of the Alice Cooper box set Old School: 1964-1974. It will see the original Alice Cooper band, Alice Cooper, Michael Bruce, Dennis Dunaway and Neal Smith (minus the late Glen Buxton) making their first appearance in the UK since 1972. Says Alice: "We [...]